August 1, 1965
Death can bring either of two things, I, at this writing sincerely believe. The first is or will be a state of nothing-ness; the brain will cease to function and with it all reason, understanding, perception, in short – everything will cease to be. There will be no pain, in fact, one might say the only pain involved in death is the dying or that state of “before death” which we must go through. If this first belief is true then death can be considered as an end to all for the person involved.
The next or second of my beliefs is in direct opposition to the first. It is that after death, while all bodily functions cease to be, the intellect will continue; the ego of the departed person will not die but will merely be transported by death to a “second existence”. Something analogous to the fifth dimension. Here, the intellect will continue to exist only without material; indeed, maybe it will even develop a protective shell around it and slowly assume a new body. This last suggestion I do not entirely agree with. My idea is of a free roving pure intelligence – not hindered by a body with specific needs.
But what will be the advantages of this “second existence”? Perhaps my body-bound reasoning cannot imagine at this time just what will be attained. Whatever will come of it is not of prime importance; but history shows that the mere idea of “second existence” has prevailed down through the ages promising an after life of some sort; this shows that man needs something to look forward to. Some reward to receive after death. The subject of complete nothing-ness is shunned by all men because they can’t imagine themselves just ceasing to be.. This last fact might have laid the foundations for the first religions founded by men.
Indeed, here we have arrived at the very basic need for any religion. At this moment, however, I wish to avoid going into the delicate issues of religion as involves God or gods until I believe myself able to answer these questions without having conscience pangs after.
(note: I was 14 years old. KB)
kongoboken 